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Negotiations aimed at settling the Drumcree dispute are expected to proceed, although Nigel Dawson of the Orange Order has indicated that “there are currently no proposals on the table.” On Wednesday, both parties involved in the dispute received a document during separate meetings with Secretary of State Sir Chris Bryant. Following his group’s session, the chairman of the residents’ coalition expressed willingness to accept the document if the Orange Order agreed to do the same.
An Orange Order parade from Drumcree into Portadown was notably absent on Sunday, primarily due to a large protest on the predominantly nationalist Garvaghy Road. Protesters have since maintained a presence on the road, albeit with fewer numbers, while the Orange Order has continued to hold ground at Drumcree church, approximately a mile away. On Thursday, “The Nolan Show” provided insight into the contents of the document delivered during the talks. The BBC understands that it acknowledged the Orange Order’s legal right to march along the Garvaghy Road, and the residents would publicly accept this legal entitlement and apologize for blocking the march. In exchange, the Orange Order would voluntarily refrain from walking down the road.
Gavin Robinson, leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), refrained from discussing the document’s specifics but praised the Orange Order’s “determination and their dignity in the face of hostility and lawbreaking.” He remarked, “In rejecting what is there doesn’t mean that is the end of a discussion nor does it mean it is the end of a successful conclusion, but it does mean that this process is maybe not as optimistically quick as some may have hoped.” Sir Chris Bryant has been actively involved in discussions with representatives from both the Orange Order and the Garvaghy Road residents since Monday. Although talks are expected to continue, they are unlikely to resume immediately as the Secretary of State traveled to England on Wednesday evening for personal reasons but is anticipated to return to Hillsborough Castle on Thursday night.
On Tuesday, the Garvaghy Road Residents’ Coalition (GRRC) submitted a new legal challenge in an attempt to stop the march from moving forward. Meanwhile, at Hillsborough Castle, talks persisted between the Secretary of State and representatives from both sides. Chief Constable Jon Boutcher announced a “large scale criminal investigation” into the illegal blockade of Garvaghy Road that prevented Sunday’s parade. The DUP has accused First Minister Michelle O’Neill of violating the law by participating in the demonstrations. Responding to these allegations, O’Neill stated, “If I’m investigated then so be it, that’s the chief constable’s job.” She emphasized her commitment to supporting the residents, saying, “I can only focus on what I’m focusing on right now which is — I’ve made a choice to be here to stand on the Garvaghy Road with these residents and I will continue to do so.” O’Neill, who is Sinn Féin’s deputy leader, later returned to the Garvaghy Road to continue offering support to the protesters.
In parallel developments, members of the Orange Order engaged in direct talks with Chief Constable Boutcher during the evening. Nigel Dawson, who serves as the Portadown district master, informed those gathered outside Drumcree church that the resolution regarding the parade’s status remained active. Afterward, some Orangemen attempted once more to march from Drumcree church but were halted by police lines. On the residents’ side, Breandán Mac Cionnaith of the GRRC also met with the chief constable. He reported, “We got the chief constable’s position, he got our position and he like ourselves is aware that there is a process under way at Hillsborough and he is not going to do anything to jeopardise that process either, like ourselves.
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